The Best Cocktail Bar In Every State

When you need a space to catch up with friends, family or coworkers while enjoying a drink, few places are better suited for the job than a cocktail bar. The history of the cocktail dates back to the 19th century, when popular drinks like the martini, daiquiri and Manhattan were born, but even today, cocktails are crowd-pleasers that draw in people from every corner of the nation.

With this in mind, we set out to find the best cocktail bars in America. Every state has a place or two where guests will claim no other establishment does it better, but we found cocktail bars that dedicated their time and energy to crafting drinks and creating a space that stood out from the rest. 

The Atomic Lounge, located in Birmingham, Alabama, was a 2019 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program. One word summarizes why this bar stands out from the rest: costumes. A closet full of costumes — ranging from a penguin to Elvis — is available for guests who want to enjoy their cocktails in style. And while you're there, try The Legendary Sex Panther. This "legendary" drink — a combination of bourbon, blackstrap rum, Cynar, demerara and bitters — is a crowd-pleaser that comes with cute, temporary tattoos.

For four consecutive years, Bitter and Twisted has been selected as one of the best American high-volume cocktail bars by Tales of the Cocktail, a conference of cocktail and spirits industry professionals from around America. Located where the Arizona Prohibition Headquarters once operated, Bitter and Twisted makes its cocktails using only premium spirits, fresh fruit and herbs and the most delicious of bitters.

California is a large state with an eclectic mix of cocktail bars that are beyond stellar. But Trick Dog, located in San Francisco, is one of the best you'll stumble across in the Bay Area. Trick Dog was voted one of the world's 50 best bars, and it has its innovative menu to thank. Drink menus in the past have resembled a Dr. Seuss rhyme book or a Chinese restaurant menu. Trick Dog's current menu is a school textbook with drinks named after subjects like creative writing and psychology.

In spite of its name, you're in for an exceptional time when you visit Ordinary in New Haven, Connecticut. Although fairly new to the cocktail bar scene — Ordinary opened its doors in April 2013 — the history of the bar dates as far back as the 18th century when George Washington is said to have spent the night there when it was known as Beers Tavern. More than 200 years later, Ordinary still holds true to its historic roots. With dark oak paneling, burgundy booths and wooden tables and stools, you'll feel like you've been transported back in time.

Sweet Liberty was voted one of the best bars in the world by The World's 50 Best Bars, an annual list that celebrates the best international drinks in the industry. Located in the Collins Park area, Sweet Liberty encourages all who enter to "pursue happiness," and with cocktails concocted by award-winning bartenders, you'll have no choice but to be merry.

Few things go together like a warm, tropical destination and a perfectly crafted cocktail. At the Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Hawaii, you'll find both. A 2018 James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program, the Bar Leather Apron is a cocktail bar that specializes in providing an intimate bar experience. So intimate that one of the co-founders of the bar also serves as the head bartender. Locals recommend trying the BLA Old-Fashioned — a mix of 2019 Knob Creek single barrel bourbon, angostura bitters, Wasanbon sugar and orange.

Lost Lake is a stylish, island-inspired bar modeled after one of the world's first tiki bars and 1930s Hollywood's fascination with tropical escapism. Even when temperatures drop in the Windy City, you'll still feel like you're lounging on a remote island thanks to the decorative items — like a miniature dolphin and colorful umbrella — and tropical twists given to every drink. And when it comes to awards, this bar is no stranger. Lost Lake is a three-time James Beard Foundation Outstanding Bar Program semifinalist and was voted as one of Esquire's Best Bars in America.

At Hello, Marjorie, guests are promised cocktails, beers and "a damn fine time." The interior is stylish but simple, with a large, pink neon sign declaring "the prettiest girls in the world live in Des Moines." And the drinks are deliciously playful with names like One Hit Wonder and Daydream. According to locals, if you want to give a drink a try that proves how talented Hello, Marjorie's bartenders are, try The Marjorie. The eponymously named drink combines Absolut pear, sloe gin, lemon juice and simple syrup for a tasty concoction.

Meta was recently selected as one of the best bars in Louisville. This cocktail bar has swanky drinks and an even better ambiance. The floor is completely decorated in pennies, the lounging seats are made from velour, the bathroom is covered with inspiring quotes and the lights are always kept dim enough to inspire a romantic adventure.

Portland Hunt and Alpine Club is a minimalistic two-time James Beard semifinalist cocktail bar located in Portland, Maine. The decor is simple — wooden tables and white chairs — but what this bar lacks in decoration it makes up for in drinking options. Guests can choose a cocktail from the refreshing, adventure, classic or wild card menu depending on their mood. Bonus: ask for a side of popcorn with your drink. It comes topped with green chile powder, butter and parmesan and is a great accompaniment to any drink.

Located inside what was once a Boston wool warehouse, Drink is the go-to spot for anyone who appreciates the craft of the cocktail. The drinks are so tasty that Nightclub and Bar Media Group recently announced Drink as its 2020 Cocktail Bar of the Year. Every night is a cocktail party kind of night at Drink, so prepare for fun and deliciousness.

Constantine was recently voted one of the top cocktail bars in the state of Minnesota by the Star Tribune and one of the Best Cocktail Bars in the nation by Food and Wine, and it's easy to tell why. Under a sprawling list of cocktails, you'll find tasty house classics like the Treasure Trail  — a mixture of gin, apricot, peach, passion fruit, lime and cava — and even better staff creations like Mom Get Out of My Rum — a blend of house rum, palm, Lillet Rouge, lemon and tiki bitters. And the decor is even cooler: Constantine is decked out in stained glass and candles for a medieval, yet somehow modern, look.

Class and creativity meld at the Monarch Bar in Kansas City, Missouri. Plush velvet seating, a Monarch butterfly chandelier, marble center bar and walls covered in modern art create an opulent-like setting that'll make you feel like a king or queen while you sip a cocktail. And speaking of cocktails, The Monarch Bar goes all out. The menu is organized in a table of contents with a glossary at the end for anyone wondering what exactly is going into their drinks.  Drinks at The Monarch Bar are so tasty that the Kansas City hotspot was a semifinalist for the 2019 James Beard Award in Outstanding Bar Program.

Nebraskans concur: If you're in Omaha searching for a cocktail bar with great decor and even better drinks, The Berry & Rye is the place to be. According to Omaha Magazine, The Reader and the Omaha World-Herald, The Berry & Rye has some of the best craft cocktails in town. Cocktails are inspired by pre-prohibition-era-style drinks, but made with a modern twist. The cocktail room is seating only, so guests are encouraged to sit back, relax and savor each drink while a host tends to your cocktail desires.

You'll find the best martinis in New Hampshire at Cotton, a Manchester treasure. The space is casual, upscale and a popular destination for New Englanders. Put Cotton to the test and order one of its acclaimed martinis.

This indoor/outdoor lounge located on the rooftop of the Hotel Parq Central in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one of the best in the state. The Apothecary Lounge specializes in Prohibition-era-style cocktails and seasonal drinks made with some of the finest liquor and beer around. Unwind outdoors in the warm New Mexico air or sip inside at the vintage-style bar.

Two things define Watts and Ward: booze and books. The venue space features a mural wall, two studies and two parlors where guests can sip perfectly crafted cocktails while lounging on vintage couches and flipping through the pages of a new book. The six-page cocktail list is part of what makes this Raleigh, North Carolina, joint one of the best bars you'll find.

At Mouton in Columbus, Ohio, friends, families and colleagues are encouraged to enjoy pitch-perfect cocktails in a relaxing, homey environment where local art is always on display. Locals recommend giving the Old-Fashioned a try for guaranteed deliciousness.

A 2019 semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program, Expatriate in Portland, Oregon, serves swanky cocktails amidst tasteful Asian cuisine. The cocktail list is simple, only a few signature drinks are available, but each makes its mark.

The Avery provides Providence, Rhode Islanders with a long menu of cocktails and beers in a cozy, dimly lit, speakeasy-style bar. And at The Avery, you'll find what's been touted as the best whiskey in the world, Pappy Van Winkle. 

Brian White, co-owner of one of the best cocktail bars in South Dakota, Carpenter Bar, describes his establishment as an upscale neighborhood, cozy downtown spot. If that sounds confusing, here's a breakdown: the cocktails might be upscale, but the space is intimate and homey. And some of the best bartenders in town practice their art at the Carpenter Bar, creating an ever-evolving, house-made cocktail list.

At Houston's Anvil Bar & Refuge, there's a little bit of something for everyone. There are more than 100 cocktails listed on the menu for guests to choose from, but classic cocktails are also a staple. The vibe at the Anvil Bar & Refuge is casual — it doesn't take reservations or hold a line at the door — and visitors can expect a warm and friendly environment. Anvil Bar & Refuge was a 2019 James Beard Foundation semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program.

Games and fun are bound to ensue at The Archives, an arcade bar churning up tasty cocktails in Burlington, Vermont. While you wait to top the leading score in Tetris, order the bar's eponymous drink for a delicious mix of Beefeater gin, fernet Branca, Punt e Mes, turbinado and lime.

Pacific Northwesterners rave about No Anchor, a world-class and James Beard Foundation-nominated bar that uses fresh and local ingredients to create the best food and cocktails in town. The cocktail list is seasonally appropriate, which means you'll always find a new drink or two on the menu that may pique your interest. And if you have a favorite cocktail not listed on the menu, just ask the bartenders to make you one of the classics. Music is taken seriously at No Anchor, so if you're in the bar and hear a song that gets your foot tapping, follow along on the official playlist.

The Jockey Club in Huntington, West Virginia, is said to have the best mojitos, caipirinhas and mint juleps in the city, and you won't be disappointed when you get your hands on one of these specialties. Guests are encouraged to put on their finest fits when visiting — hence the name  — and to sip in style. Try the cucumber or white chocolate martinis — they're this bar's masterpieces.

The best cocktail bar in Wyoming is The Rose, a gem of a bar located in the heart of downtown Jackson Hole. Fresh, housemade ingredients are used to create spunky rotating drinks like Wabbit Season — a mix of Brennivin aquavit, Cynar, carrot, lime, orgeat and Zirbenz stone pine liqueur — and Alley Cats — a blend of  Tanqueray gin, raspberry, Lustau PX sherry, lemon and black walnut bitters. The spot is perfect for the apres-ski drink. Now that you know the best cocktail bar, it's time to try the signature cocktail of each state.

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